Bar/Bat Mitzvah Club Testimonials
Eli Yasmeh
"The Rebbe once said “If you see what needs to be repaired and how to repair it, then you have found a piece of the world that G-d has left for you to complete. But if you see what is wrong and what is ugly in the world, then it is you yourself that needs repair.” Hi, I am Eli Yasmeh and I am one of the 18 students in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah club. The hebrew and Jewish world is not a stranger to me. As a five year old I started to learn how to read and write in hebrew. I grew up going to many of my cousin's Bar Mitzvahs. Over time, I became more and more intrigued in the idea of a Bar Mitzvah. When my time finally came, I didn’t hesitate to join the Bar Mitzvah club. Since January, I have learned many new things and have had an absolute blast. Rabbi Mendy taught us about the great Rambam also referred to as Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon or Maimonides. And has taught us the grund rules of being a jewish man. And Rabbi Mendy’s jokes only made things more interesting. One of my favorite projects we did this year was the making of the Tzitzit. The process was long and complicated, but the final product was worth the wait. In the process, I have developed a new respect for the people that make the Tzitzit. Over time I realized that BMC isn’t just about preparing for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah, it’s about making friends, making memories, and learning about what makes us who we are. Thank you Mora Bluma and Rabbi Mendy for teaching us all about jewish tradition with a smile on your face! I have nine months till Bar Mitzvah and I feel the most anxious and nervous I have felt in a long time, but thanks to you guys, I think I’ll manage. Thank You!!"
"The Rebbe once said “If you see what needs to be repaired and how to repair it, then you have found a piece of the world that G-d has left for you to complete. But if you see what is wrong and what is ugly in the world, then it is you yourself that needs repair.” Hi, I am Eli Yasmeh and I am one of the 18 students in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah club. The hebrew and Jewish world is not a stranger to me. As a five year old I started to learn how to read and write in hebrew. I grew up going to many of my cousin's Bar Mitzvahs. Over time, I became more and more intrigued in the idea of a Bar Mitzvah. When my time finally came, I didn’t hesitate to join the Bar Mitzvah club. Since January, I have learned many new things and have had an absolute blast. Rabbi Mendy taught us about the great Rambam also referred to as Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon or Maimonides. And has taught us the grund rules of being a jewish man. And Rabbi Mendy’s jokes only made things more interesting. One of my favorite projects we did this year was the making of the Tzitzit. The process was long and complicated, but the final product was worth the wait. In the process, I have developed a new respect for the people that make the Tzitzit. Over time I realized that BMC isn’t just about preparing for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah, it’s about making friends, making memories, and learning about what makes us who we are. Thank you Mora Bluma and Rabbi Mendy for teaching us all about jewish tradition with a smile on your face! I have nine months till Bar Mitzvah and I feel the most anxious and nervous I have felt in a long time, but thanks to you guys, I think I’ll manage. Thank You!!"
Ally Germain
"Bat Mitzvah Club is one of my most favorite activities, thanks to Morah Bluma and Rabbi Mendy. With Rabbi Mendy, we learned about the 13 principles from Rambam or Maimonidies. It was very interesting to learn about the Jewish background and where it all started. With Morah Bluma we learned about some amazing Jewish women such as Miriam, Esther, Leah and other remarkable women. We also were taught to prepare delicious traditional food. My favorites were: Matzah ball soup, chicken shawarma, cheesecake and challah. Also, we learned the importance of lighting Shabbat candles and saying a prayer. Morah bluma encouraged us to photograph our Shabbat candles every week and we were rewarded a fun prize too. I will continue this tradition of spreading light to the world.
Through the Bat mitzvah Club I learned more about myself and others, which I am really thankful for. My most favorite part was being able to meet new friends that I can rely on. Thank you so much Rabbi Mendy and Morah Bluma."
"Bat Mitzvah Club is one of my most favorite activities, thanks to Morah Bluma and Rabbi Mendy. With Rabbi Mendy, we learned about the 13 principles from Rambam or Maimonidies. It was very interesting to learn about the Jewish background and where it all started. With Morah Bluma we learned about some amazing Jewish women such as Miriam, Esther, Leah and other remarkable women. We also were taught to prepare delicious traditional food. My favorites were: Matzah ball soup, chicken shawarma, cheesecake and challah. Also, we learned the importance of lighting Shabbat candles and saying a prayer. Morah bluma encouraged us to photograph our Shabbat candles every week and we were rewarded a fun prize too. I will continue this tradition of spreading light to the world.
Through the Bat mitzvah Club I learned more about myself and others, which I am really thankful for. My most favorite part was being able to meet new friends that I can rely on. Thank you so much Rabbi Mendy and Morah Bluma."
Keren Pritsker
"Hi, I'm Karen Pritsker and I am one of the students in Bat Mitzvah Club.
Chabad Poway is not new to me; I have been attending CGI or Camp Gan Israel every year since I was 6 years old. I always saw a Bat Mitzvah Club poster and really wanted to be part of the club. Finally, my Bat Mitzvah year had come and I could participate in this program!
I learned so many new things in bat mitzvah club and had a lot of fun. Rabbi Mendy taught us about the Rambam. In Morah Bluma's class we learned about modesty Mikvah, Mitzvas that women do, and much more.
My two personal favorites were the Shabbaton and LA trip. For the first time, after many trips to LA with my family, I saw a "Jewish LA". Jewish LA is different, it's a part of LA full of kosher food, Jewish schools and more. During the Shabbaton we got to cook and serve Shabbat dinner to our families and experience the peacefulness of Shabbat.
BMC wasn't only about learning the responsibilities of being a bat mitzvah, it was about meeting new friends, having fun and experiencing new things. It was about being respectful to others and understanding what makes us, Jews. It was about being part of the community!
Thank you, Morah Bluma and Rabbi Mendy for teaching us with a smile and passion what Jewish tradition is all about!
I am almost 12 and I feel ready to take on the responsibility for Jewish traditions and be accountable for my actions.
Thank you!"
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Dana Brandstein
Hi my name is Dana Brandstein, and before I begin I would like to thank Morah Bluma and Rabbi Mendy for making this program happen.
I joined Chabad of Poway four years ago, when I met Rabbi Mendy and Morah Bluma I knew that I will have fun here. Although, I did daven during the camps, when I joined Bat Mitzvah Club I didn't know much about the Torah or our country's history.
Rabbi Mendy taught us all about that. We studied the 13 principles of the Rambam and also talked a lot about how we need to listen to the Torah and how to fully become a Jew. With Morah Bluma, we learned about the three Mitzvot of women, which are: To light Shabbat candles every Friday, to bake challah, and to dip in a Mikvah. We also did many fun things that correspond with those Mitzvot such as, baking Challah bread, decorating candles, going to the new Chabad Mikvah.
My favorite part of Bat Mitzvah Club was having fun with my friends and learning the answers to my questions about Judaism. So in conclusion, I am very sad that this program has come to its end and that I will be leaving Morah Bluma and Rabbi Mendy. Thank you so much for great memories and a wonderful year!
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Shani Edelstein
Hello, my name is Shani Edelstein and I am here to talk to you about how Bat Mitzvah Club has made an impact on me.
I'm sure everyone in the club can agree that we will miss Rabbi Mendy's stories and Morah Bluma's entertaining and educational activities. I didn't realize before how much more there is to Judaism than just holidays. Everything we do or read from the Torah has a very strong meaning to it.
Now that bat mitzvah Club is reaching its endpoint, I feel much closer to my religion and I'm more curious to learn more about it. I have learned the real meaning of being a bat mitzvah and the responsibilities that come with it. I feel like I have matured and overall become a better person. I have also made great friends that have been so fun to go on this journey with. I look forward to participating in CTeen and the Friendship Circle. I want to thank Morah Bluma, and Rabbi Mendy for all the thought and hard work they have put into BMC to make it as awesome as it was, and thank you to my BMC friends for making it so enjoyable.
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"Hi, I'm Karen Pritsker and I am one of the students in Bat Mitzvah Club.
Chabad Poway is not new to me; I have been attending CGI or Camp Gan Israel every year since I was 6 years old. I always saw a Bat Mitzvah Club poster and really wanted to be part of the club. Finally, my Bat Mitzvah year had come and I could participate in this program!
I learned so many new things in bat mitzvah club and had a lot of fun. Rabbi Mendy taught us about the Rambam. In Morah Bluma's class we learned about modesty Mikvah, Mitzvas that women do, and much more.
My two personal favorites were the Shabbaton and LA trip. For the first time, after many trips to LA with my family, I saw a "Jewish LA". Jewish LA is different, it's a part of LA full of kosher food, Jewish schools and more. During the Shabbaton we got to cook and serve Shabbat dinner to our families and experience the peacefulness of Shabbat.
BMC wasn't only about learning the responsibilities of being a bat mitzvah, it was about meeting new friends, having fun and experiencing new things. It was about being respectful to others and understanding what makes us, Jews. It was about being part of the community!
Thank you, Morah Bluma and Rabbi Mendy for teaching us with a smile and passion what Jewish tradition is all about!
I am almost 12 and I feel ready to take on the responsibility for Jewish traditions and be accountable for my actions.
Thank you!"
------------------------------------------------
Dana Brandstein
Hi my name is Dana Brandstein, and before I begin I would like to thank Morah Bluma and Rabbi Mendy for making this program happen.
I joined Chabad of Poway four years ago, when I met Rabbi Mendy and Morah Bluma I knew that I will have fun here. Although, I did daven during the camps, when I joined Bat Mitzvah Club I didn't know much about the Torah or our country's history.
Rabbi Mendy taught us all about that. We studied the 13 principles of the Rambam and also talked a lot about how we need to listen to the Torah and how to fully become a Jew. With Morah Bluma, we learned about the three Mitzvot of women, which are: To light Shabbat candles every Friday, to bake challah, and to dip in a Mikvah. We also did many fun things that correspond with those Mitzvot such as, baking Challah bread, decorating candles, going to the new Chabad Mikvah.
My favorite part of Bat Mitzvah Club was having fun with my friends and learning the answers to my questions about Judaism. So in conclusion, I am very sad that this program has come to its end and that I will be leaving Morah Bluma and Rabbi Mendy. Thank you so much for great memories and a wonderful year!
-------------------------------------------------
Shani Edelstein
Hello, my name is Shani Edelstein and I am here to talk to you about how Bat Mitzvah Club has made an impact on me.
I'm sure everyone in the club can agree that we will miss Rabbi Mendy's stories and Morah Bluma's entertaining and educational activities. I didn't realize before how much more there is to Judaism than just holidays. Everything we do or read from the Torah has a very strong meaning to it.
Now that bat mitzvah Club is reaching its endpoint, I feel much closer to my religion and I'm more curious to learn more about it. I have learned the real meaning of being a bat mitzvah and the responsibilities that come with it. I feel like I have matured and overall become a better person. I have also made great friends that have been so fun to go on this journey with. I look forward to participating in CTeen and the Friendship Circle. I want to thank Morah Bluma, and Rabbi Mendy for all the thought and hard work they have put into BMC to make it as awesome as it was, and thank you to my BMC friends for making it so enjoyable.
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Dear Rabbi Mendy and Bluma,
Thank you so much for this wonderful Shabaton. Tamar and Ayala couldn't stop telling us their experiences.
Thank you for all your preparations with Ayala's gluten free food. Without it she could not participate at this special Shabaton.
Sincerely,
Tal and Nathan A.
Thank you so much for this wonderful Shabaton. Tamar and Ayala couldn't stop telling us their experiences.
Thank you for all your preparations with Ayala's gluten free food. Without it she could not participate at this special Shabaton.
Sincerely,
Tal and Nathan A.
Dear Rabbi and Morah Rubenfeld,
Thank you so much for a memorable Shabbat.
Lia learned a lot and had an amazing time.
Thanks again,
Ester
Thank you so much for a memorable Shabbat.
Lia learned a lot and had an amazing time.
Thanks again,
Ester
Dear Rabbi Mendy and Bluma
Thank you very much for an awesome experience that M. had during Shabaton. It is life-long memories :)
Thank you, Genya and Family
Thank you very much for an awesome experience that M. had during Shabaton. It is life-long memories :)
Thank you, Genya and Family
